Marketing major Sara Mahmood elected to board for national advertising initiative

October 30, 2012

Sara Mahmood, a senior majoring in both marketing and global supply chain management at the Wayne State University School of Business Administration, is actively involved in many organizations, businesses, and student groups from the campus of Wayne State to the surrounding metro Detroit area.

Mahmood, like many college students, is in the process of transitioning from the college classroom to the global work force. Only this bright student will have an added boost to her already extensive resume.

The American Advertising Federation (AAF) has selected Mahmood to serve on its Initiative Future Board for 2012-2013. Mahmood is one of 13 students chosen from universities across the United States, and the only student selected from Michigan.

Mahmood and her fellow board members will receive hands-on marketing and communications training while partnering with mentors and professionals and working with businesses around the U.S. They will also work on client and agency thought leadership projects and participate in a summer internship.

“I am keen to be at the forefront of emerging technology, so naturally, I dove at the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of the advertising media landscape. Serving on the AAF’s Initiative Future Board is a great learning and development opportunity and I look forward to uncovering trends in media consumption,” said Mahmood.

“About a month ago, faculty chapter advisors were asked to nominate one or two students based on their demonstrated leadership performance. Sara was an excellent performer as a student in one of my classes and since then has distinguished herself as a student leader, motivating others to actively participate in our AAF chapter.

“Sara will serve as one of a small team of primary contact points for the AAF in Washington, offering perspectives on key advertising trends affecting future industry programming,” said Beltramini.

Beltramini has served as treasurer and president of the American Academy of Advertising. He is also a member of the American Advertising Federation’s National Academic Committee, and faculty advisor of the AAF's Wayne State chapter.

“When I came to Wayne State and found no student advertising organization, I started one,” said Beltramini. “Our chapter has been functioning for quite a number of years, involving both current students and those who’ve graduated and return each year to help current students.”

Mahmood, who maintains that Beltramini has worked extensively with the organization, said that she is “thankful to receive nomination from my AAF chapter advisor and to be selected by AAF for this honor.”

In addition to becoming a board member for this nationwide AAF initiative, Mahmood is currently the co-president and media director of the AAF Wayne State chapter.

Her advice for other students seeking to work in advertising is “to join AAF and become active in the WSU chapter.

"There are so many opportunities available to students through AAF membership and both my local WSU chapter and Dr. Beltramini work so hard to prepare students for success in advertising.”

According to the AAF’s website, it is “the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association, and the only association representing all facets of the advertising industry.” It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and acts as the "Unifying Voice for Advertising.”